Today we have decided to showcase a 'map' of the current state of web animation by compiling highly regarded libraries, frameworks and plugins based on their versatility and performance.

Infographic 1: The Map of Web Animation

The infographic is divided into three sections, the first part is a selection of a few of the most comprehensive animation libraries which offer up all the tools one could ever wish for from easing functions and callbacks to timing control, not to mention the generic animation functions we have come to expect. We have segregated libraries which use CSS3 transition to animate elements from libraries which call on JavaScript instead. We have also selected libraries geared towards animations for SVG, WebGL or HTML5 Canvas.

Infographic 2: List of Tools

The second section is dedicated to the various methods for animating UI elements and any others objects in the DOM like scroll animation, parallax, sprites, 3D transformations, physics engines, and transitions.

Infographic 3: Performance Tips

Last but not least, the third section lays out some basic performance tips to help choose between CSS or Javascript-based animation depending on the requirements of any given project.

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We're sure you're aware of the controversy surrounding the performance of CSS and JavaScript-based animations, and you'll know that you have your fair share of performance tests to choose from. The final decision ultimately comes down to the unique requirements for each and every project that lands on your desk depending on the browsers versions, devices... Well, nobody told you it would be easy.

Articles to Read

All we can do is recommend a couple of interesting articles and opinions that ought to give you a helping hand when the time comes to make your decision.

Myth Busting: CSS Animation vs. JavaScript by Jack Doyle was recently published in CSS-Tricks. Doyle gives us a general feel for JavaScript-based animation performance compared with directly animated CSS components.

Agile CSS3 Engine

Jaguarjs (Collie)

Collie is a Javascript library that helps to create highly optimized animations and games using HTML 5. Collie runs on both desktop and mobile using HTML 5 canvas and DOM. Collie has an optimized render method for each platform.

Box2dweb

Morf.js

Snap.svg

Snap.svg is an excellent way to create interactive, resolution-independent vector graphics that will look great on any size screen.

Impress.js

It's a presentation framework based on the power of CSS3 transforms and transitions in modern browsers and inspired by the idea behind prezi.com.

Transit

Super-smooth CSS transitions & transformations for jQuery.

Morpheus

Morpheus lets you "tween anything" in parallel on multiple elements; from colors to integers of any unit, with easing transitions and bezier curves, including CSS3 transforms (roate, scale, skew, & translate) All in a single high-performant loop utilizing the CPU-friendly requestAnimationFrame standard.

Sly

JavaScript library for one-directional scrolling with item based navigation support.

Superscrollorama

The jQuery plugin for supercool scroll animation.

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By Awwwards Team

Awwwards – recognizing the talent and effort of the best web designers, developers and agencies in the world.
We aim to create a meeting point where web professionals from across the globe can come to find inspiration; a space for debate; a place to share knowledge and experience; give and receive constructive and respectful critiques. “Always hungry”.